A question that's serious for a change

[SensualCealy]

Would you write a story, novel, etc, that would end up hurting someone if they were to read it or if someone was to tell them about it?

When situations happen in life that we wouldnt chose, but want to tell the rest of the story how do you write it without adding everything? ( I dont know if I explained that very well)

I wrote a story in a creative writing class about my childhood before some nasty stuff took place, if I expand on it to take it to adulthood I personally think Id have to write the whole story to make it true. If I were to leave any out to me would be a lie. Even though there were a couple people that hurt me in my pre teens I still dont think Id want the info to get out and hurt them as adults. How do I do it?

Any info would be great, Thanks all,
Cealy

 

[Guest]

Non-fiction? Autobiography?

I'd hire a ghost writer who is dead.

 

[dr_mabeuse]

I assume your story would include people who wouldn't be entirely protected by using pseudonyms, right? Like your parents or siblings? You didn't say what you're trying to protect them from. Pseudonyms will protect them from the readers' judgments about them, but I don't think there's any way you can protect them from your feelings and judgments about what happened.

The simplest thing you can do is put the story in third person so that readers will assume that you're writing about someone else. If the people you're trying to protect read the story, though, they'll probably recognize the situation and know that it's based on a true story, and they'll know that the feelings and emotions described are actually yours.

The best you can do is embellish the story so that it's hard to recognize the original situation. Otherwise I don't think there's much you can do except just not show it to the people involved.

---dr.M.

 

[SensualCealy]

I guess it would be a biography not that I was after that.
I just wanted to write about growing up in a small town etc. But by doing this I feel that Id have to add everything that happened which made me what I am today. This includes, incest, from 5-12, to the point my one brother shopped me around to a couple friends and threatened me if I told. I have since confronted him about this , but it would kill my parents. They are who Id be hurting the most, as well as my brothers wife and kids.

I guess what Im asking is should i do it and take the chance or leave it until Im more comfortable with the outcome?
Thx DR!
Cealy

 

[RenzaJones]

I would say to write the story and change the identifying factors names locations and such and then see if the story itself causes any personal trepidation after it's down on paper. I don't know about you but for me writing is cathartic so maybe just getting the story out of your head and on paper will be enough. If it's not then proceed from there.

 

[SensualCealy]

Thanks Renza, thats what I was thinking too. The original story was a light hearted story of being a three yr old and the antics a three yr old can get into with and without a parents supervision. Then I thought Id take it further but one, would it sell if it were to get finished, two, who would it help, and three who would it hurt.
So many things to deal with, I may just stick to the kids story, its funnier too! Oh what a tangled web we weave, even when we try not to deceive! lol
Cealy

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Maybe you can write under a psuedo-psuedonym. You may just need to get this out on paper regardless, you need to release this somehow. Not just to let others who may have been in a similar situation know you've survived it, but to also free yourself from some of it. I hope this makes some sense.

~A~

 

[magichandslee]

Would you write a story, novel, etc, that would end up hurting someone if they were to read it or if someone was to tell them about it?

When situations happen in life that we wouldnt chose, but want to tell the rest of the story how do you write it without adding everything? ( I dont know if I explained that very well)}

Hello.

I wrote some some recent stories that haven't posted. I suspect they never will, no matter. {I am lying.} I say I only write for me. {I lie to myself about that, too.} I did change the names to protect the guilty. LoL.

I have tried to write around what happens in my life and it comes out wrong, so I use the truth as a foundation. Lovers are more handsome, more virile. I allow myself to be more beautiful, more attractive than I know I am. I search in mirrors for some sign of what I yearn for all my life, the mirror does not lie to me. The pain then, is very real and deep.

I suppose that is less than erotic, but pain is part of everyone's life, I think. Emotions can elevate, emotions can drain. So it is often a large portion of living.

Some of my words I am sure would be hurtful were the people involved allowed to find out from the story. They didn't. That could be harsh.

Then there is the healing in telling the story, somehow it makes one feel less alone. It does for me, at least.

So my answer would be to tell affected parties first. If that cannot be done, I think I would choose to not write the words.

Lee

 

[Madame Manga]

Write it in the way you need to write it. That is the most important factor in a situation like this. Yes, this is all in MY opinion, but the only opinion that matters here is your own. IMO, the people who would be affected by the truth have no veto power over your personal writing, so telling them what you plan to do is entirely beside the point. You do not owe silence to anyone.

Writing something is not the same thing as showing it to the world, remember; what you end up publishing doesn't have to be exactly what you needed to write for yourself. As you write, think of this as something entirely private and only for you, like a diary. No one else ever needs to see it, so you can say anything you want to say.

Then, if you do want to publish it in any way, you can look it over and consider how to disguise it, if that seems to be the right thing to do. Again, this is only my opinion and probably way out of line, but if a man who has committed pedophiliac incest has children, they and their mother need to know, somehow. No one just grows out of perpetrating sexual crimes against children.

MM

 

[Guest]

Cealy, I agree with Madame M. Write for yourself alone. If ever there is an opportunity for publication, an agent or editor will help re. law and privacy. It's a very common situation for writers. Just write and give it time.

best, Perdita

 

[ABSTRUSE]

.

Then, if you do want to publish it in any way, you can look it over and consider how to disguise it, if that seems to be the right thing to do. Again, this is only my opinion and probably way out of line, but if a man who has committed pedophiliac incest has children, they and their mother need to know, somehow. No one just grows out of perpetrating sexual crimes against children.

MM

Madame M is right, you may be saving others as well. This is painful enough for me to know, and my heart goes out to you, I can't imagine what you have gone through.
~A~

 

[SensualCealy]

Thanks for all your kind words and thoughts.
When the brother in question was going through a nasty divorce with a woman I still adore I confronted him about those years he took from me. He knows he has this issue hanging over his head and I told him straight to his face that he best never cross me or I will let everything come out in the open. Is that black mail? Like I care at this point, its nice to have the upper hand for a change! lol

Since then, I have felt more at ease with life, I told hubby very soon into our relationship so Ive always had him to talk to about issues in the bedroom, not many but a few. Slowly Ive let a few very close friends into my world and have only received support and understanding, never have they turned their backs on me.

What I think Im going to do is write the story, read it over a few thousand times then go from there, time will tell.

Thanks again,
Cealy

 

[ABSTRUSE]

Great to hear Cealy, good luck to you and may you always find the strength you need.
~A~